The Effects of the Ebola Virus On Humans Introduction The Ebola Virus was named after the Ebola River, which is located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the virus was discovered in 1976. The Ebola Virus is the name that was given for a strain of viruses that belong to the Filoviridae family. This strain of Virus ranges from 800 to 1000 nanometers (one-billionth of a meter) in length and is made up of strands of RNA.
The RNA is held in an envelope that was created by a host cell which is covered with spikes (www.encarta. com 1). Scientists so far have discovered four kinds of this virus which are able to cause disease in human. These types are: Ebola-Zaire, Ebola-Sudan, and Ebola-Ivory Coast (www. cdc. gov 1). This paper discusses the effects of this virus on humans. Natural Reservoir Although the Ebola virus’ habitat is unknown, however, from similar viruses and other evidence scientist believe that this virus is zoonotic (animal-borne). They also believe that the animal that carries it is native to the African continent.(www. cdc. gov 1) Symptoms There are many symptoms associated with the Ebola Virus.
First of all it causes Hemorrhagic fever. This fever consists of a number of severe symptoms such as headaches, weakness muscle aches, vomiting abdominal pain, diarrhea, pharyngitis, conjunctivitis, bleeding from openings in the body, obliteration of internal tissue, exhaustion, blindness and death. The time from exposure of the diseases is about three weeks. The mortality rates for this virus are shown on the charts below.
Researches are still not sure how a percentage of people are still able to live through the disease. (www. encarta. com 2) Types of Ebola Viruses In an interview with Fredrick A. Murphy he discusses the types of Ebola viruses and how they are classified: The viruses are classified in the family ‘Filoviridae’, with one genus, ‘Filovirus’. There are four known viruses. We have Marburg virus and three Ebola viruses: Zaire, Sudan and Reston. Marburg and Ebola are distinguished by their length when purified. In the unpurified state you get all different lengths of these worm-like virions.
When they are purified, the infectivity is associated with a particular particle length, which is slightly different between the Marburg and Ebola, but all of the Ebola viruses are the same length “¦ They are very close (in similarity). First of all, there is a very small serologic difference among the Ebola viruses which can help distinguish them. Second, there are sequence differences which can be determined using the tools of molecular biology. (http://www. accessexcellence. html 1) How the Virus Spreads Because the natural reservoir of the virus is not known, the origins of the starts of an outbreak is unknown.
Scientists however, have hypothesized that the virus is originally given to humans through contact with an animal which is infected with the virus. Once this happens and a human obtains the disease, the virus can be spread from human to human in many ways. One way is coming in contact with the blood or secretion of a person who has the virus. The virus can also be spread by coming in contact with objects which were contaminated with the Ebola Virus. (www. cdc. gov 2) Preventative Measures There are a few precautions one must take to help stop the spread of the Virus.
The most care must be taken in health-care facilities, which is where this disease begins to spread, for this reason people working in these facilities must be able to notice if a patient might have the disease. When dealing with patients who may have the disease, one must where protective clothing. (www. cdc. gov 2) Conclusion In conclusion, this disease has a profound affect on people, families and even whole cities. As shown in the essay above, this is a terrible disease that cause horrible symptoms. A treatment for the virus is still yet to be discovered.
All that is done now when a patient is infected a form of supportive therapy. The closest to the discovery of a vaccine was during an outbreak of Ebola in Kikwit. Eight victims of the virus were given blood of people who had survived the virus. Seven out of the eight patients lived, however scientists do not believe this to be enough information to consider this vaccine efficient. This devastating disease is wiping out entire communities. (www. cdc. gov 2) Efforts for a cure for the plague need to be found. This disease is taken for granted more than many, since the host is unknown, what’s to stop it for coming to our town?
Works Cited “Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever. “? CDC Centers For Disease control prevention (18 Jan. 20001) . “Ebola Interview. “? (31 Jan. 2001) . “Ebola Virus. “? Encarta Online. 2000-20001. Encyclopedia Britannica. 1 Jan. 2001 http://encarta. com “Outbreak News. “? WHO (31 Jan. 2001) Turkington, Carol. “Ebola. “? Encyclopedia of infectious Disease. 1998 ed. Zoroya, Gregg. “Infant Dies from Ebola Just When Outbreak Seemed Over. “? USA Today. 11 Jan. 20001: 12A ProQuest Direct. Mamaroneck High School Lib. Mamaroneck. 18 Jan. 2001.